Electro-switchable spectacles for myopia treatment

ABSTRACT

An apparatus to treat refractive error of an eye comprises an electroactive component configured to switch between a light scattering or optical power providing configuration to treat refractive error of the eye and a substantially transparent configuration to allow normal viewing. The electroactive component can be located on the lens away from a central axis of the lens to provide light to a peripheral region of the retina to decrease the progression of myopia. The electroactive component can be located on the lens away from the central axis of the lens in order for the wearer to view objects through an optical zone while the electroactive component scatters light. The electroactive component can be configured to switch to the substantially transparent configuration to allow light to pass through the electroactive component and to allow the lens to refract light to correct vision and allow normal viewing through the lens.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/302,827, filed May 13, 2021, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,320,674, issued May3, 2022, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 63/024,379, filed May 13, 2020, thedisclosures of which are incorporated, in their entirety, by thisreference.

The subject matter of the present application is related toPCT/US2020/044571, filed Jul. 31, 2020, published as WO/2021/022193 onFeb. 4, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

Work in relation to the present disclosure suggests that myopicallydefocused light to the peripheral retina can decrease the progression ofmyopia. However, at least some of the prior approaches can be less thanideal in at least some respects. For example, at least some of the priorapproaches can be more complex than would be ideal and may provide lessthan ideal treatment results. Also, at least some of the priorapproaches can degrade vision more than would be ideal.

In light of the above, improved methods and apparatus for treatingrefractive error that ameliorate at least some of the limitations of theprior approaches are needed.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, an apparatus to treat refractive power of one orboth eyes such as an eyeglass optic comprises a lens to correctrefractive power and a switchable optical component. The switchableoptical component can be configured with an electroactive material toprovide optical power or light scattering to treat refractive error ofthe eye. The switchable optical component can be configured to turn onand off manually or automatically using an electronic control system. Inan off state, the additional optical component functions as asubstantially transparent optical layer with no substantial opticalpower or light scattering. In an on state, the optical component iseither switched to a fixed or controllable amount of optical power, or afixed or controllable amount of light scatter. In some embodiments, theswitchable component comprises an electro-active optic comprising aplurality of optical elements, such as pixels. In some embodiments, theelectro-active optical component comprises a switchable optical element,such as a diffractive optic or a patterned electrode. In someembodiments a polarization insensitive liquid crystal based diffractiveoptic comprises a diffractive surface relief on the inner surface of theelectro-active optical component. In some embodiments, theelectro-active optical element comprises a patterned electrode, and thepatterned electrode provides a temporary refractive index modulationwithin the liquid crystal material which provides a diffractive opticalpower such as a positive optical power. In some embodiments, theswitchable optical elements of the electro-active component comprisepixels, so that a portion or all of the optical elements of theelectro-active component may be switched on to provide optical powersuch as an added plus power. In some embodiments, the electro-activecomponent may be fabricated in the form of an annulus surrounding aclear central zone. In some embodiments, the switchable opticalcomponent may comprise a liquid lens, that be switched manually orautomatically using an electronic control system to provide a change inoptical power, such as an added plus power.

In some embodiments, an apparatus to treat refractive error of an eyecomprises an electroactive component configured to switch between alight scattering configuration to treat refractive error of the eye anda substantially transparent configuration to allow normal viewing. Theelectroactive component can be located on the lens away from a centralaxis of the lens to provide scattered light to a peripheral region ofthe retina in order to decrease the progression of a refractive errorsuch as myopia. The electroactive component can be located on the lensat a location away from the central axis of the lens in order for thewearer to view objects through an optical zone while the electroactivecomponent scatters light. The electroactive component can be configuredto switch to the substantially transparent configuration to allow lightto pass through the electroactive component and to allow the lens torefract light to correct vision and allow normal viewing through thelens. The lens may comprise any suitable lens, such as a lens configuredto correct refractive error of the wearer.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All patents, applications, and publications referred to and identifiedherein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, and shallbe considered fully incorporated by reference even though referred toelsewhere in the application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the features, advantages and principles of thepresent disclosure will be obtained by reference to the followingdetailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, and theaccompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus to treat refractive error of an eye, inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 2 shows an apparatus as in FIG. 1 placed in front of an eye, inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3 shows an electroactive component and associated circuitry, inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 4 shows cholesteric liquid crystals with and without dopants todevelop polarization independent medium with a switchable refractiveindex, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 5A shows index matching between particles and a liquid crystal (LC)material for at least one wavelength of light with the LC electrodesoff, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 5B shows a change in the index of the LC material as in FIG. 5Awith the LC electrodes on; and

FIG. 6A shows index matching between particles and the LC material overa range of wavelengths with the LC electrodes off, in accordance withsome embodiments;

FIG. 6B shows a decreased index matching between particles and the LCmaterial over a range of wavelengths as in FIG. 6B with the LCelectrodes on;

FIG. 7 shows structure of an electroactive switchable layer, inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 8A shows a peripheral field switchable optic, in accordance withsome embodiments;

FIG. 8B shows a full field switchable optic, in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 9 shows an optical surface profile in a substrate material toprovide optical power, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 10A shows a front view of an electrode profile to provide opticalpower, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 10B shows a side view of the electrode profile of FIG. 10A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description provides a better understanding ofthe features and advantages of the inventions described in the presentdisclosure in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein. Althoughthe detailed description includes many specific embodiments, these areprovided by way of example only and should not be construed as limitingthe scope of the inventions disclosed herein.

The presently disclosed methods and apparatus are well suited for thetreatment of refractive error. The presently disclosed methods andapparatus can be used to decrease the progression of one or more typesof refractive error, such as myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia, and arewell suited for combination with prior devices such as spectacles,contact lenses, augmented reality (AR) displays, virtual reality (VR)displays.

Although the presently disclosed methods and apparatus can be used totreat many types of refractive error, the presently disclosed methodsand apparatus are well suited to treat the progression of myopia, forexample.

Work in relation to the present disclosure suggests that a suitablestimulus, such as scattered light or a defocused image can decrease aprogression of refractive error such as myopia, and in some instancesmay be able to ameliorate a refractive error of the eye. The refractiveerror can be changed by altering an axial length of the eye, or achoroidal thickness, and combinations thereof in response to thestimulus.

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus 100 to treat refractive error of an eye. Insome embodiments, the apparatus 100 comprises a lens 102 such as a lens102 to treat refractive error the of the eye. The lens 102 is supportedon the patient with a support, such as an eyeglass frame 104 althoughother supports and head mounted configurations can be used such asmonocles, straps, goggles and the like.

The lens 102 can be configured in many ways, and can be configured totreat one or more of myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism of the eye. Thelens 102 comprises an optically transmissive material and can be shapedto provide vision to the wearer. The apparatus 100 comprises aswitchable zone 110, which is configured to switch between a lightscattering configuration to treat the progression of refractive error,and a light refracting configuration to allow light to refract throughthe switchable zone 110. In some embodiments, the switchable zone 110comprises a layer of an electroactive component 112 placed on the lens102. The electroactive component 112 comprises an electroactivematerial, such as a liquid crystal material, for example. In someembodiments, the electroactive component 112 comprises a substantiallytranslucent configuration that can be changed to a substantiallytransparent material and vice versa, for example with application of avoltage. In some embodiments, the electroactive component 112 isconfigured to be translucent with application of a voltage and to besubstantially transparent without application of the voltage.Alternatively, the electroactive component 112 can be configured to besubstantially transparent with application of a voltage and to besubstantially translucent without application of the voltage

In some embodiments, the switchable zone 110 extends around an opticalzone 108. The switchable zone 110 can be located on a portion of thelens 102 to configured provide light with similar refraction to theoptical zone 108, such that the switchable zone 110 is substantiallyinvisible to the user in the light refracting configuration. Thisapproach has the advantage of the lens appearing normal to the userunder normal viewing conditions, i.e. when the switchable zone 110 isnot performing treatment.

In some embodiments, the switchable zone 110 is dimensioned to providescattered light to a peripheral portion of the retina. In someembodiments, the peripheral portion of the retina comprises a region ofthe retina outside the macula, so as to provide clear vision to themacula when the user looks ahead and the switchable zone 110 scatterslight onto the peripheral retina. The switchable zone 110 may comprisean inner dimension 120 corresponding to an inner boundary, e.g. an innerdiameter of an annulus, and an outer dimension 121 corresponding to anouter boundary of the switchable zone 110, e.g. and outer diameter ofthe annulus. Although the switchable zone 110 can be sized and shaped inmany ways, in some embodiments the switchable zone 110 comprises anannular shape with an inner diameter and an outer diameter. Althoughreference is made to an annular shape, the switchable zone 110 can beconfigured with other shapes, such as polygons, squares, triangles, andmay comprise a plurality of discrete switchable zones located around theoptical zone 108 at appropriate locations.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 comprises circuitry 130 tocontrol the switchable zone 110. The circuitry 130 can be mounted at anysuitable location on the support, for example along an extension of aneyeglass frame 104, on a peripheral portion of the lens 102, or betweenlenses, such as on a bridge sized to extend over a nose of the wearer.

Although the apparatus 100 can be configured in many ways, in someembodiments the apparatus 100 is configured as a binocular device totreat both eyes of the wearer. For example, the device may comprise asecond lens, a second optical zone, a second electroactive component anda second switchable zone configured to treat a second eye of the wearer,similar to the components used to treat the first eye.

FIG. 2 shows an apparatus 100 as in FIG. 1 placed in front of an eye200. The eye 200 comprises a pupil 202 and a cornea 204. The componentsof the apparatus 100 are placed an arranged with reference to the eye200. The posterior surface of the lens 102 is placed at a distance fromthe vertex of the cornea 204. The posterior surface 220 of the lens 102may comprise a majority of the optical power of the lens 102. Theposterior surface 220 may comprise a concave surface with negativeoptical power to provide clear vision to a myopic wearer, for example.The optical zone comprises a center that is aligned with the line ofsight of the eye 200 when the patient looks forward.

When the pupil 202 of the eye 200 is viewed from outside the eye 200,the cornea 204 of the eye 200 forms a virtual image of the pupil 202that is slightly anterior to the physical position of the pupil 202. Insome embodiments, this virtual image of the pupil 202 comprises anentrance pupil of the eye.

The switchable zone 110 is dimensioned to provide light to the entrancepupil of the eye so that the light scattered by the switchable zone 110is directed to peripheral regions of the retina. The switchable zone 110is placed at a distance 210 in front of the eye 200, so that thescattered light enters the entrance pupil of the eye at an oblique angleand is directed to the peripheral regions of the retina, e.g. outsidethe macula.

The dimensions of the optical zone and switchable zone 110 can beconfigured in many ways. In some embodiments, the optical zone is sizedto transmit light at an angle within range from 12 degrees to 20 degreeswith reference to an entrance pupil of the eye 200, or within a rangefrom 14 to 16 degrees, for example. In some embodiments, the anglecomprises a half-angle, such as an angle between the center of theoptical zone, the center of the entrance pupil and the boundary of theoptical zone. In some embodiments, the switchable zone 110 is sized totransmit light at an angle within range from 15 degrees to 50 degreeswith reference to an entrance pupil of the eye, for example. In someembodiments, the switchable zone 110 comprises an inner boundary and anouter boundary, the inner boundary corresponding to an inner boundaryangle 212 within a range from 15 degrees to 20 degrees with reference tothe entrance pupil of the eye, the outer boundary corresponding to anouter boundary angle 214 within a range from 25 degrees to 50 degreeswith reference to the entrance pupil of the eye. In some embodiments,the lens 102 is mounted on an eyeglass frame 104 to provide a vertexdistance 210 to a cornea of the eye, the vertex distance 210, the innerboundary and the outer boundary dimensioned to provide the innerboundary angle 212 and the outer boundary angle 214 with reference tothe entrance pupil 202 of the eye.

While the electroactive component 112 and lens 102 can be arranged inmany ways, in some embodiments the electroactive component 112comprising the switching zone is located on a front side 222 of the lens102 and the majority of the optical power of the lens 102 is located ona back side 220 of the lens 102.

FIG. 3 shows an electroactive component 112 and associated circuitry130. In some embodiments, the electroactive component 112 comprises anadhesive layer 302, a scratch resistant layer 304 and a switchable layer306. The adhesive layer 302 comprises an adhesive to adhere theelectroactive component 112 to the lens 102. The adhesive layer 302 maycomprise any suitable adhesive suitable for adhering to the lens 102.The scratch resistant layer 304 may comprise a scratch resistantmaterial suitable for use on an exterior surface to prevent scratchesand optical degradation of the exterior surface of the electroactivecomponent 112.

In some embodiments, circuitry 130 is operatively coupled to theelectroactive component 112, such as by electrical conductors 316, inorder to control switching of the electroactive component 112. Thecircuitry 130 can be coupled to the switchable zone 110 to control aconfiguration of the switchable zone 110. The circuitry 130 can beconfigured in many ways and may comprise one or more of a processor 310,a microcontroller, a sensor 314 or logic circuitry to control theconfiguration of the switchable zone 110, such as a first configurationfor light scatter or a second configuration for substantiallytransparent transmission of light. The configuration of switchable zone110 can be controlled in response to inputs to the circuitry 130, suchas user inputs from a switch or a software application (e.g. an app), orinputs provided by a health care provider. In some embodiments, thecircuitry 130 comprises a power source 312 to apply a voltage to theswitchable zone 110. The power source may comprise a rechargeablebattery.

In some embodiments, the circuitry 130 is configured to vary an amountof light scatter of the switchable zone 110 to vary an amount ofsubstantially scattered light, and the first configuration may comprisea plurality of configurations, each of which is configured to scatter adifferent amount of light.

An electrode 308 a can be located on adhesive layer 302 and anotherelectrode 308 b located on the scratch resistant layer 304 with a liquidcrystal material 320 and particles 322 located between the twoelectrodes 308. The electrodes 308 may comprise any suitable materialsuch as indium tin oxide (ITO). In some embodiments, the electrodes 308are substantially transparent. In some embodiments, the scratchresistant layer 304 comprises a substantially transparent electrode 308a oriented toward the switchable layer 306 and the adhesive layer 302comprises a substantially transparent electrode 308 b oriented towardthe switchable layer 306. Each of the substantially transparentelectrodes 308 may comprise a thickness within a range from 25 to 250Angstroms.

The liquid crystal material 320 can be configured to vary its index ofrefraction in response to a voltage and corresponding electric fieldbetween the two electrodes 308. In a first configuration, the index ofrefraction of the liquid crystal material 320 is substantially differentfrom the index of refraction of the particles 322, in order for theparticles 322 to scatter light. In a second configuration, the index ofrefraction of the liquid crystal material 320 is substantially similarto the index of refraction of the particles 322, in order to refractlight with the lens 102.

The layers can be dimensioned with any appropriate thickness. In someembodiments, the adhesive layer 302, the scratch resistant layer 304 andthe switchable layer 306 comprise a combined thickness within a rangefrom 0.1 mm to 2 mm, although this range can be smaller, for examplefrom 0.1 mm to 1 mm. In some embodiments, the scratch resistant layer304 comprises a thickness within a range from 10 microns to 100 microns,the adhesive layer 302 comprises a thickness within a range from 10microns to 100 microns and the switchable layer 306 comprises athickness within a range from 25 microns to 1000 microns.

Materials other than liquid crystals that are electroactive may also beused to construct the switchable medium. Aromatic materials with linearmolecular configurations and high polarizabilities, such as cinnamicacid and azobenzene and its derivatives may be used, for example.

The switchable zone 110 can be configured in many ways. In someembodiments, the switchable zone 110 comprises a liquid crystal material320 and particles 322 within the liquid crystal material 320, and theparticles 322 scatter light a greater amount of in a first configurationthan in a second configuration. The particles 322 may comprise anysuitable shape such as one or more of irregular particles, filaments,ellipsoidal particles, spheres or microspheres.

The particles 322 can be sized with any suitable dimensions. In someembodiments, the particles 322 comprise a diameter within a range from 1micron to 1000 microns, or within a range from 5 microns to 500 microns,for example within a range from 10 microns to 250 microns. The particles322 may comprise non-spherical or spherical particles, in which theparticles 322 comprise a maximum distance across within a range from 1micron to 1000 microns and optionally within a range from 5 microns to500 microns and optionally within a range from 10 microns to 250microns.

The particles 322 may comprise a distribution of sizes. In someembodiments, the particles 322 comprise a size distribution in which amajority of the particles 322 are at least 5 microns across and no more500 microns across. In some embodiments, a majority of the particles 322are at least 10 microns and no more than 250 microns. The particles 322with these distributions of sizes may comprise spheres, in which thedimensions comprise diameters, although the particles 322 may compriseother shapes as described herein.

In some embodiments, the particles 322 comprise a distribution ofparticle sizes configured to scatter light into an entrance of the eye200 with a first amount at 400 nm and a second amount at 750 nm, inwhich the first amount within 25% of the second amount. This uniformityof the scattering as perceived by the wearer can be helpful to provide amore uniform stimulation to the peripheral regions of the retina. Insome embodiments, the distribution of particles 322 is configured toscatter light substantially uniformly over a range of wavelengths from400 nm to 750 nm, and the amount of scatter over the range varies nomore than about 25%.

The size and distribution of the particles 322 can be configured in manyways to provide one or more of Mie scattering or Rayleigh scattering,for example. Depending on the size the distribution of sizes of theparticles 322, the scattering may comprise Mie scattering and Rayleighscattering, for example. In some embodiments, the distribution ofparticle size comprises particle sizes that are smaller than thewavelength of visible light (400-750 nm), and also includes particlesizes that are greater than the maximum wavelength. For suchdistributions, light scattering involves both Rayleigh and Miescattering, for example.

The particles 322 can be configured in many ways, and may comprise anoptically transmissive material or a material with absorbance of lightenergy. In some embodiments, the particles 322, which may bemicrospheres, absorb visible light in the range of 400 nm to 750 nm. Aslight from the ambient environment is transmitted through the lightscattering zone, a portion of the scattered light may be absorbed by theparticles 322, rendering the appearance of this zone gray.

The particles 322 may comprise any suitable refractive index and theelectro-switchable material, such as a liquid crystal material 320, maycomprise any suitable refractive index. In some embodiments, theparticles 322 comprise a refractive index within a range from 1.5 to1.7, and the refractive index may correspond to a sodium D line atapproximately 589 nm. In some embodiments, the liquid crystal material320 comprises a refractive index in a non-active state (e.g. withoutvoltage to the electrodes) within a range from 1.50 to 1.65, and theliquid crystal material refractive index is configured to change by anamount within a range from about 0.1 to about 0.25 with application ofthe voltage between the electrodes, for example change by about 0.15.

The particles 322 may comprise one or more of ion doped glasses,polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyaromatics, polysulfones,polyimides, polyamides, polyethers, polyether ketones, or polycyclicolefins.

In some embodiments, the liquid crystal material 320 comprises asubstantially transparent material with a glass transition temperaturebelow −10 degrees C. and a melting point above 100 degrees C. The liquidcrystal material 320 may comprise one or more of a nematic phase, acholesteric phase or smectic phase. The liquid crystal material maycomprise a cholesteric liquid crystal with a dichroic dye. The dichroicdye may have an orientation dependent absorption of light or it may havean orientation dependent average refractive index. Both such propertiesof dichroic dyes may be used in construction of the electroactiveelement disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, the electroactive component 112 described hereinmay comprise liquid crystal that is patterned in order to projectpatterns of scatter that cover a desired range of spatial frequencies.For example, the range of spatial frequencies may be in the range of 1line pair per millimeter (“lp/mm”) to 10 lp/mm, equivalent to spatialfrequencies involved mostly in shape recognition and detection ofmotion. In some embodiments, scattering of incoming light is independentof spatial frequency of the image that may be formed by said light.Although reference is made to particles 322 within a liquid crystalmaterial, holographic or other structures may be used to provide lightwith an appropriate spatial frequency distribution for therapy. In someembodiments, the structure comprises a periodic structure immersed inthe LC material 320, such that the structure provides spatialfrequencies when the refractive index of the structure does notsubstantially match the refractive index of the LC material 320, andprovides substantially transparent vision correction when the indicessubstantially match as described herein.

The electroactive component 112 can be configured in many ways. Forexample, the electroactive component 112 may comprise an assemblyconfigured for placement on the lens 102 at a suitable time duringmanufacture of the lens 102. For example, the component 112 may comprisea stand-alone component 112 configured for placement on the lens 102,either before or after the curved refractive surface has been ground onthe lens 102. The circuitry 130 can be coupled to the electroactivecomponent 112 with suitable connectors and mounted on the support suchas an eyeglass frame 104 at a suitable location as described herein.

FIG. 4 shows cholesteric liquid crystals 402, which are a type of liquidcrystal material 320, with and without dopants to develop polarizationindependent medium with a switchable refractive index. The opticalrotation angles are shown from 0 to 360 degrees for the liquid crystalsover a length of a pitch (“p”). In some embodiments, this approachutilizes cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) 402 to match the refractiveindex of the embedded particles. In some embodiments, a single layer ofCLC 402 is polarization insensitive when p≤1 in the off state andintrinsically polarization insensitive in the on state, where 1 is thedistance between the electrodes 308. Although the switchable zone 110can be configured in many ways, in some embodiments, CLC devicecomprises only 2 electrical connections/device.

While the CLC 402 can be configured in many ways, in some embodimentsthe CLC 402 comprises a chiral dopant to provide a pitch ofapproximately 1.4 microns for polarization insensitivity. While therefractive index of the LC material can be configured on many ways, insome embodiments, the LC material, e.g. CLC material 402, is configuredto switch between two refractive indices, e.g. 1.667 (n_(c)) and 1.53(n_(o)), where ne is the extraordinary refractive index no is theordinary refractive index.

Table 1 shows liquid crystal formulations commercially available fromMerck and their material properties such as refractive indices.

LC n_(e) n_(o) birefringence n_(avg) T_(C), ° C. Diel. anisotropyViscosity, mPa · s MDA-98-1602/PO 1.7779 1.5113 0.2666 1.6446 109 11.9203 MLC-2134 1.7691 1.5106 0.2585 1.63985 112 — — MLC-2132 1.7657 1.50940.2563 1.63755 114 10.7 MLC-6080 1.71 1.5076 0.2024 1.6088 95 7.2 157MLC-2136 1.7162 1.5038 0.2124 1.61 92 7.1 134 BL 006 1.816 1.53 0.2861.673 113 17.3 71 DIC/PHC 1.765 1.514 0.251 1.6395 99.4 16.2 43.1 E71.7394 1.5224 0.217 1.6309 61 13.2 — E44 1.7859 1.52778 0.25812 1.65684— — — MDA-05-2986 1.781 1.5125 0.2685 1.64675 — — —

Although reference is made to specific liquid crystal materials, one ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that many adaptations andvariations can be made.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B show index matching between liquid crystals andparticles, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5A shows index matching between particles and an LC material for atleast one wavelength of light with the LC electrodes, such as electrodes208, off. For at least one wavelength, e.g. 550 nm, the index ofrefraction of the LC material matches the index of refraction of theparticles such that delta n=0. As shown in FIG. 5A the index ofrefraction of the LC material differs from the index of refraction (“n”)of the particles. FIG. 5B shows a change in the index of the LC materialas in FIG. 5A with the LC electrodes on. The electrode voltage andcorresponding electric field results in a difference in the index ofrefraction between the particles at the wavelength where the indicesmatched, e.g. 550 nm in FIG. 5A. The difference in the index ofrefraction (Δn) at 550 nm is equal to Δλ/h, h being the director asknown to one of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, evenwith the electrode voltage, the indices of refraction may match atanother wavelength. Although this configuration may be less than idealin some embodiments, work in relation to the present disclosure suggeststhat such a configuration may provide therapeutic benefit.

FIG. 6A shows index matching between particles and the LC material overa range of wavelengths with the LC electrodes off. In some embodiments,the index of refraction of the LC material is within 0.02 of the indexof refraction of the particles over large range of visible wavelengthsof light, such as a range of wavelengths from 400 nm to 750 nm. In thisconfiguration, the electroactive layer is substantially transparent, forexample when the layer has been switched off.

FIG. 6B shows a decreased index matching between particles and the LCmaterial over a range of wavelengths as in FIG. 6B with the LCelectrodes on. There is a significant different in the index ofrefraction between the LC material and the particles. In thisconfiguration, the electroactive layer comprises a translucent materialwhich appears hazy when an object is viewed therethrough, so as toprovide light scatter and therapeutic treatment of refractive error asdescribed herein. In some embodiments, the index of refraction of theparticles differs from the index of refraction of the layers by at least0.05 over a range of wavelengths from about 400 nm to about 750 nm.

The optical properties shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B are closer to optimaland may provide therapeutic treatment with scattered light at a firsttime and allow a wearer to view crisp clear objects through the lens 102at a second time as described herein, for example with a visual acuityof 20/20 or better (metric 6/6).

Although FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 6B refer to electrodes switched on forincreased scattering and switched off for decreased scattering, this canbe reversed in alternative embodiments, such that the light scattersmore with the electrodes off than with the electrodes on, for example byusing particles with a different index of refraction.

FIG. 7 shows structure of an electroactive switchable layer 306. In someembodiments a potential difference (Voltage) is delivered by atransparent electrode 308, e.g., Indium Tin Oxide (ITO). The electrodemay comprise a thickness within a range from 20 nm to 200 nm. The metalmay be deposited on an aligned layer of a substrate, such as an SiO2layer 702, that has a thickness within a range from 5 nm to 30 nm. Insome embodiments, alignment of the SiO2 layer 702 is achieved by obliquedeposition. In some embodiments, the alignment of the SiO2 layer 702drives alignment of the LC molecules at a lower voltage.

While the coating thickness can be configured in many ways, in someembodiments the thickness is determined with optimization. For example,simulations can be performed to optimize the transmission with ITO-SiO2coatings. For ITO-SiO2 layers on glass substrate 704, work in relationto the present disclosure suggests that a thicknesses of 20 nm and 230nm, respectively, can provide maximum transmission for light 706, whichmay be light at 550 nm, at normal incidence. While the transmission canbe any suitable amount, e.g. 80% or more, the calculated transmissioncan be approximately 93.35% at normal incidence for an air/ITOinterface, for example. Although reference is made to SiO2 (glass) as asubstrate material having an index of refraction of 1.67, the substratematerial may comprise any suitable material with any suitable refractiveindex, such as glass with a different index of refraction, or plastic,for example.

Although reference is made to the treatment of refractive error such asmyopia with light scattering, components and embodiments of the presentdisclosure are well suited for use to treat refractive error with animage that is focused anterior or posterior to the retina so as toprovide a defocused image on the retina and stimulate a change to one ormore of the axial length of the eye or a choroidal thickness of the eye.Work in relation to the present disclosure suggests that an imagefocused in front of the retina or behind the retina can provide asuitable stimulus for changing refractive error of the eye by changingone or more of the axial length or the choroidal thickness of the eye.In accordance with the present disclosure, the liquid crystal materialand one or more components as described herein can be combined with oneor more of an optical surface profile or an electrode profile to providea change in optical power to the eye.

In some embodiments, the switchable zone comprises a liquid crystalmaterial configured to vary an optical power of the switchable zone andwherein the optical power in the first configuration differs from anoptical power of the second configuration.

In some embodiments, the switchable layer comprises a polarizationinsensitive switchable optic providing a switchable power, e.g. pluspower. The switchable power can be provided by a surface relief profileor a patterned electrode. In some embodiments, the surface reliefprofile comprises a diffraction pattern that is etched on the surface ofthe wall of the electro-active layer, providing optical power, e.g.positive optical power. In some embodiments, the power is activated bycreating a mismatch of refractive indices of the liquid crystal materialand the wall material which may comprise any suitable material such asglass or plastic. The optical power may comprise any suitable opticalpower, such as positive or negative optical power, e.g. a positiveoptical power of up to +6D. This optical power can be generated with anindex difference between the liquid crystal material and the wallmaterial within a range from 0.1 to 0.2, for example approximately 0.15,with suitable liquid crystal materials such as commercially availableliquid crystal materials.

FIG. 8A shows a peripheral field switchable optic 800 suitable forincorporation as the switchable zone of the apparatus as describedherein. The optic 810 comprises a switchable zone 110 and anelectroactive component 112. The electroactive component located withinthe switchable zone 110 comprises a plurality of switchable opticalelements 810, e.g. pixels, each of which is configured to provideoptical power in a first configuration and to provide substantially nooptical power in a second configuration. A clear zone is located at thecenter of the optic as described herein, in which the switchable zone110 is located around the clear zone, although other configurations arepossible and contemplated in accordance with the present disclosure. Theswitchable zone 110 can be located away from the center of the optic tostimulate the peripheral retina as described herein. Light transmittedfrom a distant object through the optical elements 810 is generallydirected toward the peripheral retina as described herein.

FIG. 8B shows a full field switchable optic 802, in accordance with someembodiments. Work in relation to the present disclosure suggest thatdefocused stimulation of the peripheral retina can be combined withdefocused stimulation of the fovea and macula, for example. In someembodiments, the switchable zone 110 and electroactive component 112comprising optical elements 810 extend across the central zone of thelens, and the optic is configured to provide optical power for treatmentfor a limited time. Although this configuration may make the eye myopicor hyperopic for a limited time during therapy, e.g. 1 to 2 hours, thismay be helpful for treatment. The electroactive components 112 locatedwithin the switchable zone 110 comprises a plurality of switchableoptical elements 810, e.g. pixels, each of which is configured toprovide optical power in a first configuration and to providesubstantially no optical power in a second configuration, e.g. fornormal viewing.

The switchable zone 110 comprising electroactive component 112 can beconfigured with addressable optical elements, e.g. pixels, such that anyor all pixels may be activated simultaneously. This approach can provideselective regions of defocus on the lens and corresponding regions ofthe retina, and can provide pan-retinal or peripheral defocus, such asmyopic defocus, and combinations thereof. Although pan retinal defocusproviding stimulation of the macula and peripheral regions of the retinamay inhibit clear central vision during defocus for treatment, work inrelation to the present disclosure suggests that treatment times may besufficiently short in duration, such that the patient can be treatedeffectively.

With the addressable optical elements, e.g. pixels, the regions ofdefocus can be effected with a processor as described herein, so as toprovide treatment to appropriate regions of the retina, which maycomprise one or more of peripheral or macular regions of the retina.

In some embodiments, the switchable zone comprises a plurality ofswitchable lenslets to vary the optical power, in which the pluralityswitchable lenslets comprising one or more of an optical surface profileor an electrode profile to vary the optical power and defocus light in afirst configuration, e.g. the on configuration.

In some embodiments, the switchable zone comprises one or more opticalstructures comprising an optical surface profile to blur the viewedimages in response to a difference between an index of refraction of theone or more optical structures and an index of refraction of theelectroactive material.

In some embodiments, the optical surface profile comprises a diffractiveoptic profile to provide optical power in response to the difference inthe index of refraction of the one or more optical structures and theindex of refraction of the electroactive material.

In some embodiments the diffractive optic profile comprises a pluralityof echelletes.

In some embodiments the switchable zone is configured to focus an imageof an object anterior or posterior to the retina in the firstconfiguration and to focus the image of the object onto the retina inthe second configuration.

FIG. 9 shows an optical element 900, e.g. a pixel, comprising an opticalsurface relief profile 910 in a substrate material to provide switchableoptical power. The surface relief profile can be formed in an opticallytransmissive substrate material, e.g. a transparent substrate materialas described herein. The optical element 900 comprises a liquid crystalmaterial as described herein. A first electrode 308 a extends along thesurface relief profile 910 formed in a first substrate 702, and a secondelectrode 308 b extends along a second substrate 702, e.g. asubstantially planar substrate. The liquid crystal material can undergoa change in index as described herein, in order to provide optical powerwith the surface relief profile. While the surface relief profile 910can be configured in many ways, in some embodiments, the surface reliefprofile comprises a diffractive optical surface. The diffractive opticalsurface may comprise a plurality of echelletes. The plurality ofechelletes can be configured provide a change in phase to the lightpassing through the echelletes in order to provide optical power inresponse to a difference between the index of refraction of thesubstrate material and the liquid crystal material as described herein.

While the surface relief optical element can be configured in many ways,in some embodiments each optical element comprises two electrodes, inwhich the first electrode and the second electrode extends substantiallycontinuously over an area of each of the respective substrate. While theelectrodes can be deposited in many ways, in some embodiments theelectrodes are deposited without lithography, e.g. with thin filmdeposition. The surface relief optical element can be configured toprovide high optical efficiency, e.g. 90% or more of the lighttransmitted through the element forming an image with the intendedoptical power anterior or posterior to the retina. While the surfacerelief profile can be formed in many materials, in some embodiments thesurface relief profile extends along a plastic surface, although othermaterials can be used as described herein. The surface relief profilecan be formed on a flat surface, or on a curved surface. In someembodiments the surface relief profile is formed on a flat surface, theelectrodes and liquid crystal material and substrates adhered together,and then the assembly is placed on a curved surface.

In some embodiments, a patterned electrode layer is deposited on thewall of the electro-active optical layer. The patterned electrode can beelectrically activated to create a pattern of voltage difference that inturn produces a pattern of refractive index difference within the liquidcrystal material this. This approach creates a diffractive optic thatcan be switched off or on. The optical power may comprise any suitableoptical power, such as positive or negative optical power, e.g. apositive optical power of up to +6D. This optical power can be providedan index difference within a range from 0.1 to 0.2, for exampleapproximately 0.15, with suitable liquid crystal materials such ascommercially available liquid crystal materials as described herein.

FIG. 10A shows a front view of an optical element 1000 comprising anelectrode profile to provide optical power, and FIG. 10B shows a sideview of the electrode profile of FIG. 10A. The electrode profile cangenerate differences in the index of refraction of the liquid crystalmaterial between the first substrate and the second substrate, in orderto provide diffraction and corresponding optical power related to thediffractive orders, e.g. +1, +2, etc. and −1, −2, etc. Although the oneor more electrodes on one or more substrates can be configured in manyways, in some embodiments, the one or more electrodes on one of thesubstrates comprises a plurality of traces disposed in a generallyannular pattern, corresponding to a spherical optical power. The one ormore electrodes may comprise a plurality of traces, 308 a-1, 308 a-2 and308 a-3. One or more gaps 307 a-1, 307 a-2, can extend between thetraces on the first substrate 702. For example, gaps 307 a-1 and 307 a-2extend between traces 308 a-1 and 308 a-2, and 308 a-2 and 308 a-3,respectively. In some embodiments, a second electrode 308 b is locatedon a second substrate, in which the second electrode comprises asubstantially continuous electrode extending along a surface of thesecond substrate. The gaps between the electrode traces 308 a-1, 308 a-2and 308 a-3 correspond to regions of decreased electric field strengthwithin the liquid crystal material, so as to define regions of decreasedchange in refractive index in response to the voltage between theelectrode 308 a on the first substrate 702 and the electrode 308 b onthe second substrate 702.

The optical elements that provide refractive power, e.g. pixels, can bedimensioned in many ways. The surface relief profile optical elementsand electrode profile optical elements may comprise similar dimensions.With spectacle lenses, each of the optical elements may comprise amaximum dimension across, e.g. a diameter, within a range from about 3mm to about 10 mm, for example. The lens, such as a spectacle lens, onwhich the optical elements are placed can have a maximum distance acrosswithin a range from about 60 mm to about 90 mm, for example within arange from about 70 mm to about 80 mm. The switchable zone 110comprising electroactive component 112 may comprise any suitable numberof switchable optical elements, for example within a range from about 10to about 1000 switchable optical elements, for example within a rangefrom about 40 to 500 switchable optical elements. Although the voltageapplied to each switchable optical element may comprise a substantiallyfixed voltage to provide a substantially fixed change in optical power,in some embodiments, a continuously variable voltage can be applied tothe optical elements to provide a continuously variable changerefractive index to provide a continuously variable change in opticalpower for each of the plurality of optical elements.

In some embodiments, the switchable zone comprises an electrode profileto blur the viewed images with diffraction in response to a differencebetween a first index of refraction of the electroactive material atfirst location and a second index of refraction of the electroactivematerial at a second location, the first location closer to theelectrode than the second location.

In some embodiments, the pattern comprising the electrode profile isconfigured to provide optical power to the switchable zone to focuslight away from the retina in the first configuration, e.g. the onconfiguration. In some embodiments, the pattern comprising the electrodeprofile is configured to generate positive optical power and negativeoptical power with diffraction related to the difference between thefirst index at the first location and the second index at the secondlocation.

In some embodiments, the pattern comprising the electrode profilecomprises a plurality of gaps corresponding to the second location ofthe electroactive material.

While the electrode can be configured in many ways, in some embodimentsthe electrode profile comprises an electrode trace extending along asubstrate corresponding to the first location of the electroactivematerial and the electrode profile comprises a plurality of gaps definedby the traces of the electrode.

In some embodiments, the second location of the electroactive materialcomprises a plurality of second locations and the plurality of gapscorresponds to the plurality of second locations of the electroactivematerial.

With reference to the circuitry described herein, in some embodimentsthe circuitry is configured to vary an amount of optical power of theswitchable zone and optionally wherein the first configuration comprisesa plurality of configurations each configured to provide a differentamount of optical power.

The electroactive material can be configured in many ways to provide theswitchable optical elements. In some embodiments, the electroactivematerial comprises a liquid crystal material, the liquid crystalmaterial comprising a refractive index within a range from 1.5 to 1.65and the liquid crystal material is configured to change the refractiveindex by an amount within a range from 0.10 to 0.25.

In some embodiments, the switchable zone comprises one or more of anoptical surface profile or an electrode profile on a surface of asubstantially transparent substrate material. In some embodiments, thesubstrate material comprises a refractive index within a range from 1.5to 1.7 and optionally the refractive index corresponds to the sodium Dline at approximately 589 nm. In some embodiments, the substratematerial comprises one or more of ion doped glasses, polyacrylates,polymethacrylates, polyaromatics, polysulfones, polyimides, polyamides,polyethers, polyether ketones, or polycyclic olefins.

In some embodiments, the liquid crystal material is switchable from afirst refractive index in the first configuration to provide opticalpower to a second refractive index in the second configuration tosubstantially transparently transmit light through the substratematerial and wherein the second refractive index is closer to arefractive index of the substrate material in the second configuration.

In some embodiments, the first refractive index differs from therefractive index of the substrate material by at least 0.05 to provideoptical power and the second refractive index differs from therefractive index of the substrate material by no more than 0.02 tosubstantially transparently transmit light.

In some embodiments, the liquid crystal material is configured toprovide a change in refractive index within a range from 0.10 to 0.25.In some embodiments, the liquid crystal material comprises a transparentmaterial with a glass transition temperature below −10 degrees C. and amelting point above 100 degrees C. and optionally the liquid crystalmaterial comprises one or more of a nematic phase, a cholesteric phaseor smectic phase.

With respect to the electroactive component for use with a lens, theelectroactive layer may comprise an adhesive layer to adhere to a lens,a scratch resistant layer and a switchable layer between the adhesivelayer and the scratch resistant layer. The switchable layer may comprisea liquid crystal material and one or more of particles, an opticalsurface profile or an electrode profile.

Although reference is made to switchable optical elements comprising asurface relief profile or an electrode with a shape pattern, otherapproaches can be used in accordance with the present disclosure. Forexample, the switchable optical component may comprise one or moreliquid lenses arranged to provide a change in optical power. Forexample, the liquid lenses can be inflated with a liquid to provide anincrease in optical power, and the lenses can be located similarly tothe switchable optical elements comprising a surface relief profile or ashaped electrode profile pattern as described herein. In someembodiments, the switchable optical power, such as plus optical powercan be created by adding an optical layer that comprises a liquid lens.The liquid lens can be activated to provide any suitable optical power,such as a plus power of up to 4.0D, and can be either manually adjustedin power, or it may be driven electrically.

One of ordinary skill in the art can design the surface relief profilesand shaped electrodes with suitable software, in accordance with thepresent disclosure. For example Zemax optical design software can beused to design refractive components such as lenses as describe herein.Also by way of example, virtual lab software or MatLab software can beused to design the surface relief profile and the profile of thepatterned electrode, and model the changes in refractive index inresponse to voltages and various configurations of the components asdescribed herein.

In embodiments which comprise a clear central optical zone, an opticalpower of the clear optical zone may remain substantially fixed, e.g.constant, for first configuration, e.g. on, and the second configurationof the switchable zone, e.g. off.

As described herein, the computing devices and systems described and/orillustrated herein broadly represent any type or form of computingdevice or system capable of executing computer-readable instructions,such as those contained within the modules described herein. In theirmost basic configuration, these computing device(s) may each comprise atleast one memory device and at least one physical processor.

The term “memory” or “memory device,” as used herein, generallyrepresents any type or form of volatile or non-volatile storage deviceor medium capable of storing data and/or computer-readable instructions.In one example, a memory device may store, load, and/or maintain one ormore of the modules described herein. Examples of memory devicescomprise, without limitation, Random Access Memory (RAM), Read OnlyMemory (ROM), flash memory, Hard Disk Drives (HDDs), Solid-State Drives(SSDs), optical disk drives, caches, variations or combinations of oneor more of the same, or any other suitable storage memory.

In addition, the term “processor” or “physical processor,” as usedherein, generally refers to any type or form of hardware-implementedprocessing unit capable of interpreting and/or executingcomputer-readable instructions. In one example, a physical processor mayaccess and/or modify one or more modules stored in the above-describedmemory device. Examples of physical processors comprise, withoutlimitation, microprocessors, microcontrollers, Central Processing Units(CPUs), Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) that implement softcoreprocessors, Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), portionsof one or more of the same, variations or combinations of one or more ofthe same, or any other suitable physical processor. The processor maycomprise a distributed processor system, e.g. running parallelprocessors, or a remote processor such as a server, and combinationsthereof.

Although illustrated as separate elements, the method steps describedand/or illustrated herein may represent portions of a singleapplication. In addition, in some embodiments one or more of these stepsmay represent or correspond to one or more software applications orprograms that, when executed by a computing device, may cause thecomputing device to perform one or more tasks, such as the method step.

In addition, one or more of the devices described herein may transformdata, physical devices, and/or representations of physical devices fromone form to another. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of themodules recited herein may transform a processor, volatile memory,non-volatile memory, and/or any other portion of a physical computingdevice from one form of computing device to another form of computingdevice by executing on the computing device, storing data on thecomputing device, and/or otherwise interacting with the computingdevice.

The term “computer-readable medium,” as used herein, generally refers toany form of device, carrier, or medium capable of storing or carryingcomputer-readable instructions. Examples of computer-readable mediacomprise, without limitation, transmission-type media, such as carrierwaves, and non-transitory-type media, such as magnetic-storage media(e.g., hard disk drives, tape drives, and floppy disks), optical-storagemedia (e.g., Compact Disks (CDs), Digital Video Disks (DVDs), andBLU-RAY disks), electronic-storage media (e.g., solid-state drives andflash media), and other distribution systems.

A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any process ormethod disclosed herein can be modified in many ways. The processparameters and sequence of the steps described and/or illustrated hereinare given by way of example only and can be varied as desired. Forexample, while the steps illustrated and/or described herein may beshown or discussed in a particular order, these steps do not necessarilyneed to be performed in the order illustrated or discussed.

The various exemplary methods described and/or illustrated herein mayalso omit one or more of the steps described or illustrated herein orcomprise additional steps in addition to those disclosed. Further, astep of any method as disclosed herein can be combined with any one ormore steps of any other method as disclosed herein.

The processor as described herein can be configured to perform one ormore steps of any method disclosed herein. Alternatively or incombination, the processor can be configured to combine one or moresteps of one or more methods as disclosed herein.

Unless otherwise noted, the terms “connected to” and “coupled to” (andtheir derivatives), as used in the specification and claims, are to beconstrued as permitting both direct and indirect (i.e., via otherelements or components) connection. In addition, the terms “a” or “an,”as used in the specification and claims, are to be construed as meaning“at least one of.” Finally, for ease of use, the terms “including” and“having” (and their derivatives), as used in the specification andclaims, are interchangeable with and shall have the same meaning as theword “comprising.

The processor as disclosed herein can be configured with instructions toperform any one or more steps of any method as disclosed herein.

It will be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,”“third”, etc. may be used herein to describe various layers, elements,components, regions or sections without referring to any particularorder or sequence of events. These terms are merely used to distinguishone layer, element, component, region or section from another layer,element, component, region or section. A first layer, element,component, region or section as described herein could be referred to asa second layer, element, component, region or section without departingfrom the teachings of the present disclosure.

As used herein, the term “or” is used inclusively to refer items in thealternative and in combination.

As used herein, characters such as numerals refer to like elements.

The present disclosure includes the following numbered clauses.

Clause 1. An apparatus to treat refractive error of an eye, theapparatus comprising: a lens comprising an optical zone; and aswitchable zone extending around the optical zone, wherein theswitchable zone comprises an electroactive material switchable between afirst configuration to substantially scatter or defocus light and secondconfiguration to substantially transparently transmit light through thelens.

Clause 2. The apparatus of clause 1, wherein the switchable zone issubstantially translucent in the first configuration and substantiallytransparent in the second configuration.

Clause 3. The apparatus of clause 1, wherein images viewed through theswitchable zone in the first configuration appear blurry.

Clause 4. The apparatus of clause 1, wherein an optical power of theoptical zone remains substantially fixed for the first configuration andthe second configuration of the switchable zone.

Clause 5. The apparatus of clause 3, wherein the switchable zonecomprises particles to blur the viewed images in response to adifference between an index of refraction of the particles and theelectroactive material.

Clause 6. The apparatus of clause 3, wherein switchable zone comprises aliquid crystal material configured to vary an optical power of theswitchable zone and wherein the optical power in the first configurationdiffers from an optical power of the second configuration.

Clause 7. The apparatus of clause 6, wherein the switchable zonecomprises a plurality of switchable lenslets to vary the optical power,the plurality switchable lenslets comprising one or more of an opticalsurface profile or an electrode profile to vary the optical power anddefocus light in the first configuration.

Clause 8. The apparatus of clause 3, wherein the switchable zonecomprises one or more optical structures comprising an optical surfaceprofile to blur the viewed images in response to a difference between anindex of refraction of the one or more optical structures and an indexof refraction of the electroactive material.

Clause 9. The apparatus of clause 7, wherein the optical surface profilecomprises a diffractive optic profile to provide optical power inresponse to the difference in the index of refraction of the one or moreoptical structures and the index of refraction of the electroactivematerial.

Clause 10. The apparatus of clause 8, wherein the diffractive opticprofile comprises a plurality of echelletes.

Clause 11. The apparatus of clause 8, wherein switchable zone isconfigured to focus an image of an object anterior or posterior to theretina in the first configuration and to focus the image of the objectonto the retina in the second configuration.

Clause 12. The apparatus of clause 3, wherein the switchable zonecomprises an electrode profile to blur the viewed images withdiffraction in response to a difference between a first index ofrefraction of the electroactive material at first location and a secondindex of refraction of the electroactive material at a second location,the first location closer to the electrode than the second location.

Clause 13. The apparatus of clause 11, wherein electrode profile isconfigured to provide optical power to the switchable zone to focuslight away from the retina in the first configuration.

Clause 14. The apparatus of clause 12, wherein electrode profile isconfigured to generate positive optical power and negative optical powerwith diffraction related to the difference between the first index atthe first location and the second index at the second location.

Clause 15. The apparatus of clause 11, wherein electrode profilecomprises a plurality of gaps corresponding to the second location ofthe electroactive material.

Clause 16. The apparatus of clause 14, wherein electrode profilecomprises an electrode trace extending along a substrate correspondingto the first location of the electroactive material and wherein theelectrode profile comprises a plurality of gaps defined by the traces ofthe electrode

Clause 17. The apparatus of clause 15, wherein the second location ofthe electroactive material comprises a plurality of second locations andwherein the plurality of gaps corresponds to the plurality of secondlocations of the electroactive material.

Clause 18. The apparatus of clause 1, wherein the lens comprises anoptical power, the optical zone comprising the optical power and whereinthe switchable zone is located on the lens to transmit light with theoptical power in the second configuration.

Clause 19. The apparatus of clause 17, wherein the lens comprises afirst side and a second side, the switchable zone located on the firstside, the second side comprising a curvature to provide a majority ofthe optical power of the lens.

Clause 20. The apparatus of clause 1, wherein the switchable zonecomprises the first configuration when a voltage is applied to the zoneand the second configuration without the voltage applied to the zone.

Clause 21. The apparatus of clause 1, wherein the switchable zonecomprises the second configuration when a voltage is applied to the zoneand the first configuration without the voltage applied to the zone.

Clause 22. The apparatus of clause 1, wherein switchable zone comprisesan annular zone.

Clause 23. The apparatus of clause 1, wherein the optical zone comprisesa central optical zone.

Clause 24. The apparatus of clause 1, wherein the switchable zone islocated on a portion of the lens configured to correct the refractiveerror of the eye.

Clause 25. The apparatus of clause 1, wherein the optical zone isconfigured to correct a refractive error of the eye.

Clause 26. The apparatus of clause 1, wherein the optical zone is sizedto transmit light at an angle within range from 12 degrees to 20 degreeswith reference to an entrance pupil of the eye.

Clause 27. The apparatus of clause 25, wherein the angle is within arange from 14 to 16 degrees.

Clause 28. The apparatus of clause 25, wherein the angle comprises ahalf-angle.

Clause 29. The apparatus of clause 1, wherein the switchable zone issized to transmit light at an angle within range from 15 degrees to 50degrees with reference to an entrance pupil of the eye.

Clause 30. The apparatus of clause 28, wherein the switchable zonecomprises an inner boundary and an outer boundary, the inner boundarycorresponding to an inner angle within a range from 15 degrees to 20degrees with reference to the entrance pupil of the eye, the outerboundary corresponding to an outer angle within a range from 25 degreesto 50 degrees with reference to the entrance pupil of the eye.

Clause 31. The apparatus of clause 29, wherein the lens is mounted on aneyeglass frame to provide a vertex distance to a cornea of the eye, thevertex distance, the inner boundary and the outer boundary dimensionedto provide the inner angle and the outer angle with reference to theentrance pupil of the eye.

Clause 32. The apparatus of clause 1, wherein switchable zone comprisesa liquid crystal material and particles within the liquid crystalmaterial and wherein the particles scatter light a greater amount of inthe first configuration than in the second configuration.

Clause 33. The apparatus of clause 31, wherein particles comprisemicrospheres.

Clause 34. The apparatus of clause 31, wherein particles comprise adiameter within a range from 1 micron to 1000 microns and optionallywithin a range from 5 microns to 500 microns and optionally within arange from 10 microns to 250 microns.

Clause 35. The apparatus of clause 31, wherein the particles comprise amaximum distance across within a range from 1 micron to 1000 microns andoptionally within a range from 5 microns to 500 microns and optionallywithin a range from 10 microns to 250 microns.

Clause 36. The apparatus of clause 31, wherein the particles comprise asize distribution with a majority of particles at least 5 microns acrossand no more than 500 microns across and optionally at least 10 micronsand no more than 250 microns and optionally wherein the particlescomprise spheres and the dimensions comprise diameters.

Clause 37. The apparatus of clause 31, wherein the particles comprise adistribution of particle sizes configured to scatter light into anentrance pupil of the eye with a first amount at 400 nm and a secondamount at 750 nm, the first amount within 25% of the second amount.

Clause 38. The apparatus of clause 36, wherein the distribution ofparticles is configured to scatter light substantially uniformly over arange of wavelengths from 400 nm to 750 nm and wherein an amount ofscatter over the range varies no more than about 25%.

Clause 39. The apparatus of clause 31, wherein the liquid crystalmaterial comprises a refractive index within a range from 1.5 to 1.65and wherein the liquid crystal material is configured to change therefractive index by an amount within a range from 0.10 to 0.25.

Clause 40. The apparatus of clause 31, wherein the particles comprise arefractive index within a range from 1.5 to 1.7 and optionally whereinthe refractive index corresponds to the sodium D line at approximately589 nm.

Clause 41. The apparatus of clause 31, wherein the particles compriseone or more of ion doped glasses, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates,polyaromatics, polysulfones, polyimides, polyamides, polyethers,polyether ketones, or polycyclic olefins.

Clause 42. The apparatus of clause 31, wherein the liquid crystalmaterial is switchable from a first refractive index in the firstconfiguration to substantially scatter light to a second refractiveindex in the second configuration to substantially transparentlytransmit light and wherein the second refractive index is closer to arefractive index of the particles to decrease light scatter from theparticles in the second configuration.

Clause 43. The apparatus of clause 41, wherein the first refractiveindex differs from the refractive index of the particles by at least0.05 to substantially scatter light and the second refractive indexdiffers from the refractive index of the particles by no more than 0.02to substantially transparently transmit light.

Clause 44. The apparatus of clause 31, wherein the liquid crystalmaterial is configured to provide a change in refractive index within arange from 0.10 to 0.25.

Clause 45. The apparatus of clause 31, wherein the liquid crystalmaterial comprises a transparent material with a glass transitiontemperature below −10 degrees C. and a melting point above 100 degreesC. and optionally wherein the liquid crystal material comprises one ormore of a nematic phase, a cholesteric phase or smectic phase.

Clause 46. The apparatus of clause 1, wherein the switchable zonecomprises: an adhesive layer; a scratch resistant layer; and aswitchable layer between the adhesive layer and the scratch resistantlayer, the switchable layer comprising a liquid crystal material and oneor more of particles, an optical surface profile or an electrodeprofile.

Clause 47. The apparatus of clause 45, wherein the adhesive layer isadhered to the lens.

Clause 48. The apparatus of clause 45, wherein the adhesive layer, thescratch resistant layer and the switchable layer comprise a combinedthickness within a range from 0.1 mm to 2 mm and optionally within arange from 0.1 mm to 1 mm.

Clause 49. The apparatus of clause 45, wherein the scratch resistantlayer comprises a thickness within a range from 10 microns to 100microns, the adhesive layer comprises a thickness within a range from 10microns to 100 microns and the switchable layer comprises a thicknesswithin a range from 25 microns to 1000 microns.

Clause 50. The apparatus of clause 45, wherein the scratch resistantlayer comprises a substantially transparent electrode oriented towardthe switchable layer and the adhesive layer comprises a substantiallytransparent electrode oriented toward the switchable layer.

Clause 51. The apparatus of clause 49, wherein each of the substantiallytransparent electrodes comprises a thickness within a range from 25 to250 Angstroms and optionally wherein each of the substantiallytransparent electrodes comprises and indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode.

Clause 52. The apparatus of clause 1, further comprising a power sourceto apply a voltage to the switchable zone and optionally wherein thepower source comprises a rechargeable battery.

Clause 53. The apparatus of clause 1, further comprising circuitrycoupled to the switchable zone to control a configuration of theswitchable zone, the circuitry comprising one or more of a processor, amicrocontroller, a sensor or logic circuitry to control theconfiguration of the switchable zone and optionally wherein theswitchable zone comprises the first configuration of the secondconfiguration in response to inputs to the circuitry.

Clause 54. The apparatus of clause 52, wherein the circuitry isconfigured to vary an amount of light scatter of the switchable zone tovary an amount of substantially scattered light and optionally whereinthe first configuration comprises a plurality of configurations eachconfigured to scatter a different amount of light.

Clause 55. The apparatus of clause 52, wherein the circuitry isconfigured to vary an amount of optical power of the switchable zone andoptionally wherein the first configuration comprises a plurality ofconfigurations each configured to provide a different amount of opticalpower.

Clause 56. The apparatus of clause 1, wherein the electroactive materialcomprises a liquid crystal material, the liquid crystal materialcomprising a refractive index within a range from 1.5 to 1.65 andwherein the liquid crystal material is configured to change therefractive index by an amount within a range from 0.10 to 0.25.

Clause 57. The apparatus of clause 1, wherein the switchable zonecomprises one or more of an optical surface profile or an electrodeprofile on a surface of a substantially transparent substrate material.

Clause 58. The apparatus of clause 56, wherein the substrate materialcomprises a refractive index within a range from 1.5 to 1.7 andoptionally wherein the refractive index corresponds to the sodium D lineat approximately 589 nm.

Clause 59. The apparatus of clause 56, wherein the substrate materialcomprises one or more of ion doped glasses, polyacrylates,polymethacrylates, polyaromatics, polysulfones, polyimides, polyamides,polyethers, polyether ketones, or polycyclic olefins.

Clause 60. The apparatus of clause 56, wherein the liquid crystalmaterial is switchable from a first refractive index in the firstconfiguration to provide optical power to a second refractive index inthe second configuration to substantially transparently transmit lightthrough the substrate material and wherein the second refractive indexis closer to a refractive index of the substrate material in the secondconfiguration.

Clause 61. The apparatus of clause 59, wherein the first refractiveindex differs from the refractive index of the substrate material by atleast 0.05 to provide optical power and the second refractive indexdiffers from the refractive index of the substrate material by no morethan 0.02 to substantially transparently transmit light.

Clause 62. The apparatus of clause 56, wherein the liquid crystalmaterial is configured to provide a change in refractive index within arange from 0.10 to 0.25.

Clause 63. The apparatus of clause 56, wherein the liquid crystalmaterial comprises a transparent material with a glass transitiontemperature below −10 degrees C. and a melting point above 100 degreesC. and optionally wherein the liquid crystal material comprises one ormore of a nematic phase, a cholesteric phase or smectic phase.

Clause 64. An electroactive component for use with a lens to treatrefractive error of an eye, the electroactive component comprising: anadhesive layer configured to adhere to a lens; a scratch resistantlayer; and a switchable layer between the adhesive layer and the scratchresistant layer, the switchable layer comprising a liquid crystalmaterial and one or more of particles, an optical surface profile or anelectrode profile.

Clause 65. The electroactive component of clause 63, wherein theswitchable layer does not extend over a central portion sized and shapedto provide an optical zone on the lens.

Clause 66. The electroactive component of clause 63, further comprisingcircuitry coupled to the switchable zone to control a configuration ofthe switchable zone, the circuitry comprising one or more of aprocessor, a microcontroller, a sensor or logic circuitry to control theconfiguration of the switchable zone and optionally wherein theswitchable zone comprises the first configuration of the secondconfiguration in response to inputs to the circuitry.

Embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described asset forth herein and are provided by way of example only. One ofordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous adaptations, changes,variations and substitutions without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. Several alternatives and combinations of theembodiments disclosed herein may be utilized without departing from thescope of the present disclosure and the inventions disclosed herein.Therefore, the scope of the presently disclosed inventions shall bedefined solely by the scope of the appended claims and the equivalentsthereof

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus to treat refractive error of an eye,the apparatus comprising: a lens comprising an optical zone; and aswitchable zone extending at least partially around the optical zone,wherein the switchable zone comprises an electroactive materialswitchable between a first configuration to substantially scatter ordefocus light and a second configuration to substantially transparentlytransmit light through the lens; wherein switchable zone is configuredto focus an image of an object anterior or posterior to the retina inthe first configuration and to focus the image of the object onto theretina in the second configuration; wherein the lens comprises a firstside and a second side, the switchable zone located on the first side,the second side comprising a curvature to provide a majority of anoptical power of the lens.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theswitchable zone is substantially translucent in the first configurationand substantially transparent in the second configuration.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein images viewed through the switchable zonein the first configuration appear blurry.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3,wherein the switchable zone comprises a liquid crystal materialconfigured to vary an optical power of the switchable zone and wherein afirst optical power of the switchable zone in the first configurationdiffers from a second optical power of the switchable zone in the secondconfiguration.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the switchable zonecomprises a plurality of switchable lenslets to vary the optical powerof the plurality of switchable lenslets, the plurality of switchablelenslets comprising an index of refraction different from a first indexof refraction of the electroactive material in the first configurationto vary the optical power and defocus light in the first configuration.6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the electroactive materialcomprises a second index of refraction in the second configurationcloser to the index of refraction of the plurality of switchablelenslets.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality ofswitchable lenslets comprises the index of refraction and an opticalprofile related to an amount of defocus in the first configuration. 8.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an optical power of the optical zoneremains substantially fixed for the first configuration and the secondconfiguration of the switchable zone.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the lens comprises an optical power and the optical zonecomprises the optical power.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theswitchable zone comprises the first configuration when a voltage isapplied to the switchable zone and the second configuration without thevoltage applied to the switchable zone.